Sketch courtesy of Ann Volkes
Materials:
2000- 2500 yards of your favorite worsted weight yarn
Brown Sheep's Superwash, in color #SW92 or #SW90 or Cascade's
220 is perfect for this pattern, and was written for it. Always buy
one more skein than you think you'll need.
#7 (US) and #5 (US) needles, either straight or round. Lately, there has been much discussion of the ergonomics of knitting, and, being one who has had to use round needles, because of arthritis in my thumbs, and a three inch piece of steel in the left thumb, I highly recommend round, 29" or 36". #5 (US) 24" round needle for collar.
Two stitch holders and a yarn needle or size E crochet hook to finish the garment.
Gauge:
4- 4½ sts/in If you obtain a larger gauge, just
decrease either the stitch count, or reduce needle size.
Skill Level: Beginner
Approximate Knitting Time:
75 hours
Pattern Stitch: Straight Stockinette (1 row knit, 1 row purl)
Chest Measurements at 4sts to the inch:
XL=62"
2X=65"
3X=70"
4-5X=75"
Chest Measurements at 4½ sts to the inch:
XL=56"
2X=58"
3X=62"
4-5X=66"
Back:
Numbers given are for size XL with 2X, 3X, and 4-5X in
brackets.
Cast on 124 (130, 140, 150) sts, with #5 (US) needles, and work for 2" in 1/1 ribbing.
Change to #7 needles and KNIT across the next WS row, forming 1 garter ridge, and then continue to work for 14 (15, 16, 18) inches.
Cast off 10 (11, 12, 12) stitches at the beginning of the next two rows, 114 (119, 128, 138) sts.
At each end of every other right side row, dec 1 st, three times 108 (113, 122, 132) sts.
Work even for another 15 (15, 15, 16)". Note that the largest size is also for those who are VERY tall, at a finished length of 34".
Right Back Shoulder:
(WS Row) Work across the first 25 (27, 28, 30)sts, place the following 58 (59, 66, 72)sts on stitch holder, turn and work across RS row (Row 1) as follows: K2, sl1, k1, psso, work to end.
Work across WS row (Row 2) even.
Repeat these rows 2 (2,2,3) more times ending with RS (Row 1), turn,
and at shoulder edge, cast off 9 (10, 11, 11) sts. Finish row, turn, and
work 1 more row across remaining sts. Cast off
securely.
Work Left Back Shoulder the same as the Right Back, reversing all shaping.
Front:
Cast on and work as for back.
(If your "Big Guy" has a bigger tummy than backside, I have this trick: between the garter trim and the armhole, spaced about 1½" apart, add rows in the following manner: On a RS row, Knit across to last three sts, turn and purl across to last three sts, turn and knit all the way back across RS row. Purl all the way across next WS row. This will add room for a big tummy, without adding a "balloon" effect on the back of the garment. When measuring length of piece, do it at the selvage.)
Work armholes as for back, and continue to work in st st, even, for another 13½ (14, 14, 14½)".
Work Left Front Shoulder first, starting with RS row.
K across first 30 (32,33, 35) sts, place next 48 (49, 56, 62) sts onto
st holder, turn and work across the Left Front Shoulder.
Next RS row (Row 1): K across to last 4 stitches, K2tog, k2. Turn, work even across WS row. Repeat these rows, 4 (4, 4, 5) more times, 20(22, 23, 25) sts remain. Work even until the front measures the same as the back.
At Shoulder edge, cast off 10(11, 11, 12)sts. Finish row, turn, P even across WS row. Cast off remaining sts securely.
Sleeves:
Sew or crochet Back and Front together at shoulders, securely.
Along armhole edge, pick up 128(128, 128, 136) sts.
Next two RS rows, inc 1 st at each end of row, 3 times.
Work even until sleeve measures 1¼". If
your Big Guy has gorilla arms, as does my DH, add length to the sleeves
at the top by working sleeve, even, to the desired increase in length.
Then, dec 1 st at each end of every third row 28 (28, 28, 30) (20- 22 inches)
times, 44 (44, 44, 46 sts)
Next WS row, K across to form garter ridge. Change to #5 needles, work even in 1/1 ribbing for 2½", cast off in 1/1 ribbing.
Finishing:
Collar: Starting at Right Back Neck Edge, pick up 8 sts.
Knit sts from holder onto active needle. At Left Back Neck Edge,
pick up 8 sts. At Left Front Neck Edge, pick up 12 sts. Knit
sts from holder onto active needle. Pick up 12 sts along Right Front
Neck Edge, 146 (148, 162,
174)sts. With 24" #5 (US) round needle work purl one row, to
form ridge. Change to 1/1 ribbing and work tightly for 1½(1½,
2, 2) ". Cast off securely. Sew or crochet side seams together.
Extra fun: If your guy is big around the middle, but short, choose a smaller size for length than for stitch counts, and use my "trick" of adding rows in the tummy area. If he's 6'9" and a bean pole, use fewer stitches, with the longest length. If you want to do this, go through the whole pattern and circle the numbers you want to use, so you won't get confused.